QuestionQUESTION: We are having issues with the minivan that results in a drastic jerking motion when driving. We were told that it should be two sensors creating the problem, so we replaced the crank and cam sensors. The first time we replaced them they were not oem sensors, but the problem did fix for a week. Now the problem is back and we were told that we should have replaced the sensors with oem sensors. We got the oem sensors and replaced them, the problem will not stop, and the check engine light will not go off. When we turn off the van and turn the key back to on, the check engine light blinks 10 times. We are told it could possibly be the flywheel (flexplate), we are hoping it to be a simpler issue for we do not have the money for major repairs. Is there something else we could check??
ANSWER: Hi Ed,
The most efficient thing would be to get a fault code readout for the possibility that the engine computer has recognized the source of the issue. Try the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window to see if the mileage changes to show instead 4-digit numbers preceded by a P. Let me know what those are and we'll go from there. If that doesn't work, then an Autozone parts store will often plug in a code reader to a socket by the steering column and get fault codes that way, for free. An independent shop should do it for under $40. If there are no codes, then the possibilitiy of something mechanical in the drivetrain may be the issue (cv-joint for example). But the check engine light suggests we will find a relevant fault code one way or the other.
Roland
PS: I see that you got a 0016 code which suggests that there is some problem with the signal match up between the cam and the crank sensors. I would begin by checking the wiring between those sensors and powertrain controller. My most recent manual in an '02 and for that 3.3L engine the cam sensor wires brown/pink to pin 44 of the pcm and carries 8V, dark blue/dark green to pin 43, and note that the same wires and pins apply to the crank sensor. The signal wire for the cam sensor is dark blue/gray to pin 33 and for the crank sensor is brown/light blue to pin 32. Verify that those connections are patent and that the wires aren't compromised as far as insulation/shorting togeteher/shorting to ground.
If those are ok, then it may be that the sensors were not installed properly. Did you leave the paper spacers on the tips and then install them with the tip pressed against the underlying surfaces that they are meant to 'sense', and hold there while you tighten the screws? If not, get new spacers from a dealer and reinstall them as the spacing is crucial to proper functioning of the sensors.
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QUESTION: Thanks Kevin, I think we are on the right track!! We got the oem sensors from the dealership and before we put them in we noticed the cam sensor came with a spacer and the crank did not. The two sensors that we purchased from autozone did not come with any spacers. We have the dealership oem sensors in at this time, are both sensors supposed to have the spacer? Other question is if there is a short, is there a place we could look for it that is visible? The crank sensor is up under and in a hole. We cannot get but one hand in there to replace it and pull it off of the plug, very difficult. We had an interior light shortage issue happen recently and have yet to look for the short, could they be related? The interior lights meaning above the dash reading lights only not the complete interior lights. We are going to check the connections of the sensors and await your answer, Thanks again very much!!
AnswerHi Ed,
As I read the manual, the cam sensor definitely has the spacer (and an oblong slot to allow for its positioning in contact with the metal surface) while the crank on that engine appears to be a fixed location so presumably will self-position without the spacer. If the present spacer is scraped or worn off on the cam you have now installed, then get a replacement spacer only and re-install. As for the wiring, about all you can do is attempt to make contact with each of the three socket pins for each sensor at the sensor plug and check at the other possible end pins at the pcm (if you can't see which wire you are dealing with, at least verify that it is connected to only one of the 3 possible pins, and that none of the three are shorted to ground as measured by resistance at the pcm pins in question, or shorted to eachother).
The interior lights are doubtless a separate issue. Maybe the bulb itself is out.
Roland
